The Addams Family 2
The first animated film of The Addams Family was released in 2019 and it told the story of an apparently idyllic town built just in view of the Addams’ sinister mansion. The contrast between the two realities provided the humour but also proved that to be an outsider means to be unique, and thus an invaluable addition to any community.
The sequel is now out, and it follows the same principles, just as the 1990s movies and 1960s series did before. It features the same all-star cast from 2019, led by Charlize Theron as Morticia and Oscar Isaac as Gomez. The new computer-animated film sees the Addams go on a van trip and come across all sorts of inconveniences along the way. Before they set off, Wednesday (voiced by Chloë Grace Moretz), the youngest family member, is noticed by a scientist for her genius.
The mysterious supernatural powers that allow the Addams to perform tricks and spells move towards science and logic in this latest instalment. Wednesday is shown as a child prodigy who astonishes the crowds at the school’s science fair with her groundbreaking experiments. She takes the DNA of her pet octopus, Socrates, and uses Uncle Fester’s body to show how a human being can be improved. A scientist named Cyrus Strange is intrigued, and sneakily follows the student all over the nation to find out more.
The family’s tour across the US makes the movie a fun experience for young audiences, especially thanks to the brilliant graphics and non-stop action, which will keep children engaged. The film’s pre-Halloween release may lead viewers to expect something spooky, but it is really only the characters that can be associated with the festival, as the plot itself of a very different nature.
The ultra-modern setting means that the saga moves away from the dark atmosphere of the creepy mansion and goes as far out as Miami and a technologically centred reality. The Addams find themselves in a world of selfie-taking, digitally absorbed youngsters and greedy, fame-hungry adults. While this new scenario updates the story and brings its characters closer to new audiences, to a large extent it also takes away its charm.
The narrative feels generic and follows the family movie trend of focusing on global issues that need addressing, without heeding the development of the characters or really staying true to their essence. Although the Addams saga seems to be used mainly to guarantee box office success, young movie-goers will undoubtedly enjoy the eccentric family’s misadventures nevertheless.
Mersa Auda
The Addams Family 2 is released nationwide on 8th October 2021.
Watch the trailer for The Addams Family 2 here:
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